Attractions
- The Arkabutla Lake project includes 57,250 total acres of land and water. The dam is 11,500 feet long with an average height of 67 feet. There are 37,700 acres of land at the project which are open to the public for hunting. The lake covers 33,400 acres.

Recreation - Arkabutla Lake has 13 recreation areas with 419 picnic sites, 333 camp sites, 9 boat ramps and 3 swimming beaches. There are 37,700 acres of land at the project which are open to the public for hunting. Hunting and fishing license information for the State of Mississippi may be obtained by calling (601) 362-9212. 7 Boat Launching Ramps are available around the lake for $2 per day and there are 3 Swimming Beaches are available for $1 per day per person or a maximum of $3 per vehicle per day.

Climate - Mississippi lies mainly in the subtropics. The climate is mild with the coldest months experiencing low temperatures near 40 degrees F. Summer temperatures frequently reach 100 degrees F, with coastal breezes providing cooling relief. Humidity is highest in August and September reaching an average close to 90%. The highest rainfall comes during the spring months, but December and January are wet, too. Expect temperatures in the northeastern region to be somewhat cooler than the rest of the state.

Location -
Arkabutla Dam is located in north Mississippi, 30 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee, west of Interstate 55. The project can be reached using the Hernando (Exit 280) or Coldwater (Exit 271) exit off I-55. Arkabutla Dam is on Scenic Loop 304.

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Trip Reports:
Add your own trip Report!Newly re-released feature. One of the most popular features on Wildernet, trip reports allow you to share your experiences with others.
This is an invaluable resource for determining what to expect on your outdoor adventure, so please participate! To prevent spamming, you must be a registered user of Wildernet in order to submit a trip reportFiled By: Mark Bates
(Mount Pleasant, TN)
Number of People Encountered: 25-50 pplRecommend to a Friend: HighlyReport: We fished and camped on the Tate County side below the spillway. The Park Ranger told me that after October 1st there is no fee to camp as this begins the winter season. This was a pleasant surprise because the outside temperature was perfect for camping. Still green everywhere. My son, Caleb, and I fished just below the spillway down the steps. The water was low. Minnows with a medium hook and swivel and bobber 2 ft. deep..cast out and just let it flow. The fish were biting just about every time. I caught 2 nice channel cat and Caleb caught 3 bass, 1 crappie and 1 channel cat. We were in this spot for about 3 hours then moved on the Desoto County side and fished the peer below the spillway and Caleb caught a stringer full of bream crappie and channel cat. We were there all day till sunset after having camped the night before. What a great fishing trip.Number of People Encountered: 11-25 pplRecommend to a Friend: NeutralReport: I was extremely disappointed, the lake is so low it was a major trek to get to the water. If you don't have a boat you have to hike to the water, or fish the spillway and river below the dam. I went to the field office to inquire about the water level, they told me it was only five feet below recreceational level. I find that hard to believe. The swimming areas that are marked are on dry ground. The reason I am so upset about the water level, and the long walks required to get to the water is I have a disability that prevents me from walking long distances over rough terrain. Maybe you won't have any trouble, Good Luck! I did have a nice lunch at a picnic table on a bluff overlooking the lake?Number of People Encountered: 0-10 pplRecommend to a Friend: HighlyReport: Sat. 4/24/04--water was rising from previous days rain--lake and river high and muddy--catfish biting good in river--limit of crappie was caught in the mudhole--rained again sat. night--fished mudhole sunday and couldn't get a bite--ps--you will have to slide a john boat off the bank to fish here--good luckFiled By: ron barnett
(horn lake, ms)
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 pplRecommend to a Friend: HighlyReport: Went crappie fishing at coldwater point.caught 5 fish in shallow water. going again today.Love this lake.

Additional Information:Clarksdale Area - To the east of Clarksdale are several of Mississippi's largest lakes and there are several State Parks within an easy days travel.Hills Region - The northeastern hills stretch from the edge of the Mississippi River Delta to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.Mississippi Lakes and Reservoirs - The lakes and reservoirs listed here range from huge reservoirs covering over 60,000 acres, to small lakes tucked away in the Mississippi back woods.